Unlocking career doors with some cúpla focal

There are more than 300,000 people employed in State services in the Republic of Ireland. The Irish language has always been valued in public sector jobs, especially in Gaeltacht areas and in the health and education sectors.

Under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, 20% of new recruits to the public service must be competent in Irish by the end of 2030. With this in mind, there is going to be an increase in the demand for employees across the public sector speaking fluent Irish.

Furthermore, areas such as the Gaeltacht, are not only vital for preserving the language but also offer unique employment opportunities.

From education and media to public service and tourism, proficiency in Gaeilge can open doors to rewarding careers while supporting the continued growth of Ireland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

Opportunities

Having gone to a Gaelscoil where his mother was the principal, Dónall Ó hÉigeartaigh from north Belfast developed a natural interest in the Irish language as he spoke it fluently at home.

He went to a mainstream secondary school which was a big change, but he continued to learn the language and attended the Gaeltacht region in Donegal regularly.

After completing work experience with Conradh na Gaeilge, the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community, he realised the opportunities that existed with the language.

“It was probably the first time I saw a job in the Irish language sector that wasn’t teaching. That was a lightbulb moment for me as it made me realise, I do want to work with the language but I want to work with the community and Irish speakers rather than teaching,” he says.

Dónall went on to study Irish at Ulster University in Derry and then completed his master’s in translation. After that, he returned to Conradh na Gaeilge and started working as a third-level coordinator, promoting the different employment opportunities that exist with speaking Gaeilge.

“There’s a quota that by 2030, 20% of new hires within the public sector have to be able to provide their services through Irish. That’s a massive increase in the jobs that are available with Irish, it covers everything from the civil service to publicly funded bodies like RTÉ, TG4 and the Arts Council,” says Dónall.

There is a wide variety of roles available, from public relations coordinators to news platforms, so there is a huge emphasis on providing workshops to third-level students on employment opportunities. Dónall speaks to students about how these roles entail a defined career ladder with a clear pathway of progression that is easily obtained.

Emerging areas of employment

The EU has recognised Irish as an official language since 2007, but in 2022 it became an official working language which means every international agreement must now be published in Irish.

This has created a demand for translators and interpreters in Government departments due to the increase in documents and materials that must now be available in Irish.

“There are job opportunities further afield within the European Union too, such as interpreters and proof-readers. There are also administration roles within the organisations providing services for the EU,” says Dónall.

One of the pieces of advice we give people is if a job is advertised in Irish, send a CV in Irish. If you send a CV in English, there’s every chance it’s going immediately in the bin

Fluency in Irish is a distinct advantage for those working in print, broadcast and digital media. It opens the door to a wider range of projects. TG4 and RTÉ have Irish-language television and radio channels that require presenters, journalists, editors and producers to be fluent.

“Within that you have TV, radio and production companies that either produce content in Irish or are based in Irish-speaking areas. So, the likes of Nemeton TV, they are a production company based in Rinn Ó gCuanach, Dún Garbhán,” says Dónall.

The level of Irish needed depends on the role you’re applying for. For example, jobs within the European Union will require a high standard of written Irish. Other roles in the public sector will require a diploma or degree in Irish, which will be outlined on applications.

“One of the pieces of advice we give people – and it might sound very basic, but you would be surprised how often it happens – is if a job is advertised in Irish, send a CV in Irish. If you send a CV in English, there’s every chance it’s going immediately in the bin,” says Dónall.

Within his role in Conradh na Gaeilge, Dónall provides services to students to help them proofread their CV or do mock interviews through Irish. To avail of this, visit cnag.ie/en. Jobs within the Irish sector are posted on peig.ie.

Costumer and environmental activist

“One of the rudaí is fearr my parents ever did for me was send me to school as Gaeilge. I grew up in Dún na nGall, but not in the Gaeltacht. Having my primary schooling through Irish set me up for life in ways I could never, ever have imagined.

“I work as a costumer in the film and TV industry in Béal Feirste, and being líofa has given me opportunities such as working on the recent Kneecap film, working with Radio Fáilte, Raidió na Gaeltachta and BBC Uladh. Who would have thought that my once illegal native language would lead to working on jobs longlisted for the Oscars?

“Most recently I was approached to work on TG4s Síor Stíl, a competition for sustainable fashion designers. Had I no Irish, I would never have been considered for the job, nevermind offered a paid position. I’d estimate that 40% of my income is through bilingual and all Irish projects.

“Being an Irish speaker has given me a ready-made group of friends, especially in Béal Feirste where the grá for Gaeilge is so evident, and revolutionary.”